New Medieval Music Festival Launches in the Heart of Central London

A brand-new festival celebrating Medieval music in London is set for its inaugural edition in May 2027.
With the launch of its new website, The Medieval London Music Festival marks the beginning of an exciting new festival dedicated to bringing music from the 15th century and before to life in the heart of London. Built around the idea of 'Medieval music in Medieval spaces', the festival will present historically informed performances and talks in some of the city's most remarkable surviving Medieval buildings. Its principal venue, St Bartholomew the Great, is London's oldest parish church – founded in 1123 – with plans to expand to other historic sites in future years.

The festival is led by Founder and Co-Artistic Director Daniel Thomson, alongside Co-Artistic Director David Yardley and Executive Director Rachel Stott, whose shared vision is to establish the Medieval London Music Festival as a major celebration of Medieval music and heritage in the capital.
Thomson explains, 'London is home to some of the world's most extraordinary Medieval buildings, yet there has never been a festival dedicated to exploring the music of the Middle Ages in these remarkable spaces. Our aim is to bring this repertoire to life through historically informed performances that allow audiences to experience both the music and the architecture in a new way.'

The festival is now inviting professional Medieval Music ensembles and performers to apply to take part in its inaugural festival in May 2027. Applications are open until 30 September 2026, offering artists the opportunity to perform in one of London's most extraordinary Medieval settings. Proposals are welcome for programmes that explore the rich diversity of Medieval music through thoughtful scholarship, historical performance and imaginative engagement with Medieval repertoire and history.
Visit the MLMF website to learn more about the festival, its vision, and plans for its inaugural season. You can also find details on how to apply, discover ways to support the festival, and join the mailing list to stay up to date with news, announcements, and future events.
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